4.4 min readPublished On: January 12, 2026

Six New Characters Coming to Genshin Impact in 2026

HoYoverse dropped a major teaser during the Version 6.3 Luna IV livestream that has the Genshin Impact community buzzing. Six character silhouettes appeared on screen, confirming what many players have been waiting years to see.

The wait for icons like Varka and Nicole is almost over, but some of those other shadows have everyone scrambling for their lore books. The speculation is half the fun, right? So, either start saving up your Primo or just browse through U7BUY and get Genshin top up cheap to be ready when the characters finally drop.

Here’s everything we know about these upcoming characters and when you can expect to pull for them.

The Confirmed Characters

That silhouette reveal wasn’t playing games. Sure, a couple of those profiles were instantly recognizable to any dedicated Traveler. The others? Well, they’ve sparked some serious detective work across the community. By piecing together old voice lines, artifact lore, and trusted leaks, a solid picture of this new roster is coming together.

Varka: The Titan Finally Arrives

Look at the second silhouette from the left, it could only be him. That iconic, powerful build and the distinct shape of a claymore are dead giveaways. Varka, the Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius, is finally here.

Current leaks suggest he’ll be a 5-star Anemo Claymore user focused on main DPS. Characters like Barbara, Venti, and even Childe have referenced him as one of the strongest figures in Mondstadt. His fighting style is expected to feature fast, heavy strikes, potentially with Anemo infusion built into his kit. Some theories even suggest dual-wielding mechanics, though that remains speculative.

Varka is likely dropping in Version 6.4, which should launch around late February 2026.

Nicole Reeyn: The Hexenzirkel Witch

The third character is Nicole, identifiable by her pointed ears and elegant silhouette showing her holding a teacup. She’s already appeared in the story as a member of the Hexenzirkel, the mysterious witch organization that includes Alice and other powerful mages.

Players spotted Nicole’s Pyro Vision during the Luna III Archon Quests, and her codename is simply “N.” Speculation points to her being a 5-star Pyro Sword user. The Hexenzirkel connection means her release will likely tie into major lore revelations about Teyvat’s deeper mysteries. Nicole has been positioned as a key figure who understands the bigger cosmic picture, so her banner should come with significant story content.

Most predictions place Nicole in Version 6.6, potentially alongside a Citlali rerun.

Lohen: The Permanent Banner Addition

Lohen is the character on the far left of the silhouette lineup. He’s the Vice Captain of the Knights of Favonius’ Fifth Company, and Varka himself mentioned that Lohen is tougher than him. That’s high praise coming from the Titan of Mondstadt.

Here’s where things get interesting. Multiple sources indicate Lohen will be added to the Standard Banner as a permanent 5-star character. This is rare in Genshin Impact and suggests HoYoverse is finally expanding the standard pool. He’s expected to use the boy model (similar to Venti) and will likely wield either a Polearm or Bow with Electro element, though his kit details remain unknown.

Lohen should debut in the second half of Version 6.4, then become available on the standard banner afterward.

The Mystery Characters

The remaining three silhouettes are where speculation really takes off. The fourth character is believed to be Linnea, an Adventurers’ Guild advisor mentioned only in voice lines from Aino and Ineffa. The fifth appears to be Snegurochka, a figure connected to Ajax’s (Tartaglia’s) backstory in existing lore. Her appearance would create fascinating narrative connections to Childe’s character arc.

The sixth silhouette, positioned on the far right and partially obscured, is almost certainly Sandrone. She’s the Seventh Fatui Harbinger who appeared briefly in earlier Archon Quests. Players should expect her playable model to differ from her NPC appearance, similar to what happened with Wanderer, Baizhu, and Skirk when they became playable.

What This Means for Your Primo Savings

Let’s be honest, 2026 is going to test your self-control. These aren’t filler characters. Each one carries significant story weight and potential meta-relevance.

Planning Your Pulls

Character Expected Version Banner Type Estimated Release
Varka 6.4 Limited Late February 2026
Lohen 6.4 Phase 2 Permanent/Limited March 2026
Nicole 6.6 Limited April/May 2026
Linnea TBA Limited First Half 2026
Snegurochka TBA Limited First Half 2026
Sandrone TBA Limited First Half 2026

 

The fact that multiple Mondstadt characters are releasing during the Nod-Krai story arc suggests Version 6.4 might bridge into a Mondstadt expansion. Dornman Port has been referenced in voice lines for years, and it finally seems poised to become accessible.

The Bigger Picture

This character reveal comes at a strategic time. Version 6.3 introduces the Lunar Crystallize reaction system, which fundamentally changes how Geo and Hydro interact. By the time these six characters start rolling out, the meta will have shifted significantly.

The permanent banner addition of Lohen is particularly noteworthy. It signals that HoYoverse recognizes the standard pool has grown stale.

Final Thoughts

That teaser confirms something bigger than new map areas. Years of cryptic voice lines and lore entries are suddenly crystallizing into actual, playable characters.

Start hoarding those Intertwined Fates now. Between Columbina in Version 6.3, Varka in 6.4, and the rest of this roster throughout the year, your primogem reserves are about to face serious pressure. Smart planning now will save you the pain of missing a character you’ve been waiting for since launch.